Yardbarker: Vintavious Cooperhttp://www.yardbarker.com/college_football/players/vintavious_cooper/215968
Recent articles about Vintavious Cooperen-usAllen takes rushing lead for No. 22 PiratesGREENVILLE, N.C. (AP) For now, at least, Breon Allen is the leader of No. 22 East Carolina's rushing attack.
Allen is coming off a 200-yard game heading into Saturday's game against SMU in their American Athletic Conference debut. That made him the first player in a backfield rotation to turn in a big performance for a team looking to replace a lot of lost production from a year ago.
''Every day, you've got to come out here and work for your job,'' the senior said. ''That's the kind of team we are. We push each other every day. And we have the type of people on this team that if one person's not doing what they're supposed to, someone else can step up.''
Allen ran for a career-high 211 yards and two scores in a record-setting win against North Carolina, the best rushing day by an ECU player since eventual NFL star Chris Johnson ran for 223 against Boise State in the 2007 Hawaii Bowl.
That put him in line for possibly a bigger workload Saturday when the Pirates (3-1) return from a b...01 Oct 2014 16:40:19 -0400http://network.yardbarker.com/college_football/article_external/allen_takes_rushing_lead_for_no_22_pirates/17403368
http://network.yardbarker.com/college_football/article_external/allen_takes_rushing_lead_for_no_22_pirates/17403368Allen takes rushing lead for No. 22 Pirateshttp://www.yardbarker.com/college_football/articles/allen_takes_rushing_lead_for_no_22_pirates/17403368http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.pngEast Carolina Pirates season previewEast Carolina looks to be a program on the rise at just the right time as the Pirates make the move to the American Athletic Conference this season. ECU had a record breaking 2013 year with their first bowl victory since 2007 and first 10-win season since 1991 while also scoring the most points for a season in school history. The ECU offense brings in the dynamic duo of quarterback Shane Carden and wide receiver Justin Hardy, both CFU preseason all-conference first team players. Carden brings leadership, experience, and most importantly production on the field; he was also named the C-USA Most Valuable Player for 2013 while tallying 4,139 passing yards and 33 touchdowns to 10 interceptions. Hardy grabbed 114 catches for 1,284 yards and 8 touchdowns. The offense did lose some key starters to graduation including running back Vintavious Cooper and guard Will Simmons, but three starters return on the line including juniors Ike Harris and C.J. Struyk, who combine for 49 career games....11 Apr 2014 21:24:29 -0400http://network.yardbarker.com/college_football/article_external/east_carolina_pirates_season_preview/16251508
http://network.yardbarker.com/college_football/article_external/east_carolina_pirates_season_preview/16251508East Carolina Pirates season previewhttp://www.yardbarker.com/college_football/articles/east_carolina_pirates_season_preview/16251508http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.pngEast Carolina's first 10-win season since 1991On Monday, East Carolina beat Ohio 37-20 in the Beef 'O' Brady's Bowl for their first postseason win since 2007 and their first 10-win season since 1991 when they won 11 games including a victory over North Carolina State in the Peach Bowl. The Pirates did it in record breaking fashion against Ohio. ECU gained 281 rushing yards, 6.9 yards per carry, three rushing touchdowns, and 568 total yards - all Beef 'O' Brady's Bowl records. "In the first half, the offensive line played way beyond what was expected," said ECU running back Vintavious Cooper. "But for us, that's the standard that we hold for our team. We hold ourselves to a high standard."Cooper, the bowl's MVP, set the bowl's single-game record for rushing yards with 198. The senior running back has great vision on the field and good cutting ability. Quarterback Shane Carden added to the accolades by setting the bowl's mark for completions (29) and attempts (44). On th...25 Dec 2013 13:12:22 -0500http://network.yardbarker.com/college_football/article_external/east_carolinas_first_10_win_season_since_1991/15389605
http://network.yardbarker.com/college_football/article_external/east_carolinas_first_10_win_season_since_1991/15389605East Carolina's first 10-win season since 1991http://www.yardbarker.com/college_football/articles/east_carolinas_first_10_win_season_since_1991/15389605http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.pngECU wears down Ohio in Beef 'O' Brady's BowlST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) -- Ten victories and East Carolina's first bowl win in six years.
The Pirates, who finished second in Conference USA's Eastern Division, had plenty to celebrate after dominating the fourth quarter to earn a 37-20 victory over Ohio in the Beef 'O' Brady's Bowl.
"It was a great season, we had a lot of goals and although we fell short of a goal to be conference champion we made a lot of other things happen along the way," coach Ruffin McNeill said. "Our young men learned that having a great attitude and doing things the right way and putting teamwork first allowed us to accomplish great things."
Vintavious Cooper took over Monday's game with a performance reminiscent of a former East Carolina running back.
Just don't bring up that comparison to Cooper, who rushed for a career-best 198 yards and scored two touchdowns. In addition to breaking the Beef `O' Brady's Bowl record for yards rushing, the senior became the first East Carolina player to win a MVP award i...24 Dec 2013 11:50:00 -0500http://network.yardbarker.com/college_football/article_external/ecu_wears_down_ohio_in_beef_o_bradys_bowl/15385681
http://network.yardbarker.com/college_football/article_external/ecu_wears_down_ohio_in_beef_o_bradys_bowl/15385681ECU wears down Ohio in Beef 'O' Brady's Bowlhttp://www.yardbarker.com/college_football/articles/ecu_wears_down_ohio_in_beef_o_bradys_bowl/15385681http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.pngECU wears down Ohio in Beef 'O' Brady's BowlTen victories and East Carolina's first bowl win in six years.
The Pirates, who finished second in Conference USA's Eastern Division, had plenty to celebrate after dominating the fourth quarter to earn a 37-20 victory over Ohio in the Beef `O' Brady's Bowl.
''It was a great season, we had a lot of goals and although we fell short of a goal to be conference champion we made a lot of other things happen along the way,'' coach Ruffin McNeill said. ''Our young men learned that having a great attitude and doing things the right way and putting teamwork first allowed us to accomplish great things.''
Vintavious Cooper took over Monday's game with a performance reminiscent of a former East Carolina running back.
Just don't bring up that comparison to Cooper, who rushed for a career-best 198 yards and scored two touchdowns. In addition to breaking the Beef `O' Brady's Bowl record for yards rushing, the senior became the first East Carolina player to win a MVP award in a bowl game since T...24 Dec 2013 03:40:26 -0500http://network.yardbarker.com/college_football/article_external/ecu_wears_down_ohio_in_beef_o_bradys_bowl/15383515
http://network.yardbarker.com/college_football/article_external/ecu_wears_down_ohio_in_beef_o_bradys_bowl/15383515ECU wears down Ohio in Beef 'O' Brady's Bowlhttp://www.yardbarker.com/college_football/articles/ecu_wears_down_ohio_in_beef_o_bradys_bowl/15383515http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.pngOhio falters in 4th quarter against East CarolinaOhio started slowly, and then surged into the lead. It faded down the stretch in the Beef `O' Brady's Bowl, making the whole game very much like the Bobcats' season.
''That's exactly what it felt like. We were up and down,'' running back Daz' Patterson said Monday after a 37-20 loss to East Carolina. ''We were up and down. One minute we were having a good drive, and then we were shut down by one silly play or something silly. It felt like the whole season in a nutshell.''
Vintavious Cooper rushed for a career-best 198 yards for East Carolina, setting a Beef `O' Brady's Bowl record. The Pirates (10-3) grabbed the lead for good on the first of Cooper's two touchdowns runs in the fourth quarter, a 31-yard burst with just under 10 minutes remaining.
''A win would have made this a whole lot better,'' Bobcats receiver Donte Foster said. ''It would have made it very tremendous, but I felt like our gu...23 Dec 2013 22:10:04 -0500http://network.yardbarker.com/college_football/article_external/ohio_falters_in_4th_quarter_against_east_carolina/15382276
http://network.yardbarker.com/college_football/article_external/ohio_falters_in_4th_quarter_against_east_carolina/15382276Ohio falters in 4th quarter against East Carolinahttp://www.yardbarker.com/college_football/articles/ohio_falters_in_4th_quarter_against_east_carolina/15382276http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.pngDC's Preview : Beef 'O' Brady's Bowl St. PetersburgOhio vs. East CarolinaTropicana Field, St. Petersburg, FLMonday, December 23rd, 2:00 PM on ESPNBrendan's Pick: Conference USA's representative in St. Pete has taken home the hardware or the family friendly wings or whatever else Beef 'O' Brady's Bowl winners get the last two seasons. Let's just clear one thing up right away: they're going to run that streak to three, because East Carolina is going to smoooooooke Ohio. East Carolina can earn their first 10-win season since 1991 with a win in the Bay, after riding an explosive offense to a 9-3 record in C-USA. QB Shane Carden (3,866 yards and 32 TDs) is good enough to win games through the air by himself (having Justin Hardy as a target doesn't hurt), but the Pirates also boast a formidable running attack with Vintavious Cooper (995 yards, 11 TDs). Ohio comes in colder than the mummies in the South Bend Shovel Slayer's trash can, having lost 3 of 4 and falling to Buffalo and Bowling Green by a combined score of 79-3 down the stretch. ...23 Dec 2013 10:31:00 -0500http://network.yardbarker.com/college_football/article_external/dcs_preview_beef_o_bradys_bowl_st_petersburg/15377653
http://network.yardbarker.com/college_football/article_external/dcs_preview_beef_o_bradys_bowl_st_petersburg/15377653DC's Preview : Beef 'O' Brady's Bowl St. Petersburghttp://www.yardbarker.com/college_football/articles/dcs_preview_beef_o_bradys_bowl_st_petersburg/15377653http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png2014 NFL Draft Bowl Previews: Beef O'Brady - Ohio vs. East Carolina
East Carolina enters the Beef ‘O’ Brady’s Bowl as a 14-point favorite over an Ohio team that has made a bad habit of being on the wrong end of blowout losses this season. The Pirates have blown out their share of opponents with an explosive offense led by quarterback Shane Carden, who ranks in the top 10 nationally in both passing yards and touchdowns.
The Pirates come off a 59-28 loss to a Marshall team that Ohio beat early in the season, while the Bobcats lost three of their last four games by a combined score of 123-16 before beating Massachusetts in their final game. If East Carolina can bounce back after almost four weeks off, they have the better team and the majority of this bowl’s draftable players.
(JR) Justin Hardy, WR, East Carolina (#2), 6’0, 186
Hardy came to East Carolina as a quarterback but quickly made a smooth transition to wide receiver. His greatest advantage is his quickness in the short field, creating consistent yardage after the catch with sudden plants and cuts.23 Dec 2013 09:08:41 -0500http://network.yardbarker.com/college_football/article_external/2014_nfl_draft_bowl_previews_beef_obrady_ohio_vs_east_carolina/15377176
http://network.yardbarker.com/college_football/article_external/2014_nfl_draft_bowl_previews_beef_obrady_ohio_vs_east_carolina/153771762014 NFL Draft Bowl Previews: Beef O'Brady - Ohio vs. East Carolinahttp://www.yardbarker.com/college_football/articles/2014_nfl_draft_bowl_previews_beef_obrady_ohio_vs_east_carolina/15377176http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.pngOhio-East Carolina PreviewEast Carolina thought it had a pretty good opportunity to win a third Conference USA championship in six years before leaving for the American Athletic Conference next season.
The Pirates, though, blew that chance in their regular-season finale, and they'll instead settle for trying to secure the program's second double-digit win season as they meet Ohio in the Beef 'O' Brady's Bowl at St. Petersburg, Fla., next Monday night.
East Carolina (9-3) was riding a five-game winning streak behind its high-powered offense before losing 59-28 on Nov. 29 at Marshall, which wrapped up the East Division and a spot in the conference title game.
"I am proud of that group," coach Ruffin McNeill told the Pirates' official website. "I've been coaching 33 years. It's rare when you have a chance to win nine games but we have a chance to win 10. ... We have done a lot of things that nobody thought we could do."
The Pirates, who went 11-1 in 1991, are led by Conference USA MVP Shane Carden. The juni...16 Dec 2013 18:10:45 -0500http://network.yardbarker.com/college_football/article_external/ohio_east_carolina_preview/15325379
http://network.yardbarker.com/college_football/article_external/ohio_east_carolina_preview/15325379Ohio-East Carolina Previewhttp://www.yardbarker.com/college_football/articles/ohio_east_carolina_preview/15325379http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.pngMarshall glides past East Carolina 59-28Rakeem Cato threw for two touchdowns and ran for two more on Friday as Marshall took an early undisputed lead and defeated East Carolina 59-28 in the East Division Championship of the Conference USA.
Marshall (9-3, 7-1) was up 24-0 after Cato threw a 3-yard TD pass to Gator Hoskins with 9:33 left to play in the second quarter. The Pirates scored before halftime on back-to-back turnovers by Marshall, with a Vintavious Cooper 2-yard TD run and a field goal by Warren Harvey. East Carolina (9-3, 6-2) was never able to get closer than a 14-point margin for the rest of the game.
Essray Taliaferro led the Thundering Herd with a game-high 161 yards rushing on 26 carries and surpassed 1,000 yards for the season.
East Carolina's Shane Carden threw three interceptions after throwing just seven for the season before the matchup. Carden finished with 291 yards passing.29 Nov 2013 17:16:33 -0500http://network.yardbarker.com/college_football/article_external/marshall_glides_past_east_carolina_59_28/15186716
http://network.yardbarker.com/college_football/article_external/marshall_glides_past_east_carolina_59_28/15186716Marshall glides past East Carolina 59-28http://www.yardbarker.com/college_football/articles/marshall_glides_past_east_carolina_59_28/15186716http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png